Metros tie Crew in second preseason game
February 18, 2002 (Official Game Summary)

2:2
Columbus MetroStars
Cunningham 2 Mathis
Alvarez
02.18.02 · Preseason

Byron Alvarez knocked home a low line drive into the far right corner as time was about to expire this morning to give the MetroStars a 2-2 draw with the Columbus Crew in a split-squad, preseason scrimmage at the IMG Academy in Bradenton, Florida.

The MetroStars, playing with a mix of their regular unit along with some rookies and preseason hopefuls, took a 1-0 lead into halftime on a Clint Mathis goal in the 38th minute. Newly-acquired midfielder Brian Kamler crossed a ball from the right flank just inside the top of the penalty area to Mathis, who one-touched it to Daniel Hernandez, who then gave it right back to Mathis to fire into the right corner of the net from 12 yards out past Crew goalkeeper John Busch.

The Crew took control in the second half, equalizing on a goal from Jeff Cunningham from assists by Brian West and John Wilmar Perez in the 60th minute. Cunningham put the Crew on top just 10 minutes later, converting a penalty kick after MetroStars rookie Sam Forko was whistled for bringing down West on the left side of the penalty area.

The MetroStars clawed back to tie just before the final whistle. Steve Jolley, on an overlapping run down the left side, crossed the ball towards the top of the penalty area, where Hernandez one-touched the ball back towards an onrushing Forko. Forko's centering cross reached Kamler, who deftly flicked it on to Alvarez, and the rookie's swerving shot just eluded a diving Bush.

The goal was the second of the preseason for Alvarez, who played last season for Mexican club Tampico. Alvarez also scored a goal in last Thursday's 3-1 win over the University of Central Florida.

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